Landlord responsibilities
Landlords are responsible for repairs to rented homes. You can view our Place Enforcement Policy for more information on how we enforce standards.
Gas safety standards
Landlords must install smoke alarms on every floor and a carbon monoxide alarm in rooms with a solid fuel appliance. Alarms must be working at the start of each new tenancy.
The Smoke and carbon monoxide alarms regulations don't specify alarm types (e.g., hard-wired or battery), so landlords should choose what's best for their property and tenants.
You can find more information on landlord gas responsibilities on the Gas Safe Register website.
Trafford Council is responsible for enforcing these regulations. We can issue a remedial notice, giving landlords 28 days to fit or test alarms. Should a landlord fail to comply, and with the occupier's consent, the Council will arrange for the alarms to be installed or tested.
Non-compliant landlords may incur a civil penalty charge of up to £5,000.
Electrical safety standards
Landlords are legally required to provide evidence that the electrical installation of their property is safe. They must ensure their property is inspected by a competent person at least every five years and have an Electrical Installation Condition Report (EICR) or Minor Electrical Installation Works Certificate in place.
Read more about electrical safety standards in the private rented sector on GOV.UK.
Where further investigation or failures are identified within an EICR, remedial works must be carried out within 28 days from the date of the report (or within the time specified within the report if sooner).
The certificate or report must be provided to a tenant before occupancy and to any current tenant within 28 days of the remedial works being completed, as well as to the Local Authority.
If the Council has to ask for a copy of the EICR report, it must be provided within seven days. This can be sent to the Housing Standards Team at housing.standards@trafford.gov.uk.
Failure to comply with the Regulations could lead to further action and a fine of up to £30,000 per offence.
Damp and mould
Landlords must legally maintain the inside and outside of a rental home in excellent condition, including parts of a building that may result in mould and dampness, like:
- Brickwork and pointing
- Damp Proofing
- Doors and windows
- Ventilation
- Heating systems
- Insulation